23.07.2013 Views

Nurse's Pocket Guide

Nurse's Pocket Guide

Nurse's Pocket Guide

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

POST-TRAUMA SYNDROME<br />

Disasters; sudden destruction of one’s home/community;<br />

epidemics<br />

Wars; being held prisoner of war; torture<br />

Defining Characteristics<br />

SUBJECTIVE<br />

Intrusive thoughts/dreams; nightmares; flashbacks; [excessive<br />

verbalization of the traumatic event]<br />

Palpitations; headaches; [loss of interest in usual activities, loss<br />

of feeling of intimacy/sexuality]<br />

Hopelessness; shame; guilt; [verbalization of survival guilt or<br />

guilt about behavior required for survival]<br />

Anxiety; fear; grieving; depression<br />

Reports feeling numb<br />

Gastric irritability; [change in appetite; sleep disturbance/<br />

insomnia; chronic fatigue/easy fatigability]<br />

Difficulty in concentrating<br />

OBJECTIVE<br />

Hypervigilance; exaggerated startle response; irritability; neurosensory<br />

irritability<br />

Anger; rage; aggression<br />

Avoidance; repression; alienation; denial; detachment; psychogenic<br />

amnesia<br />

Altered mood states; [poor impulse control/explosiveness];<br />

panic attacks; horror<br />

Substance abuse; compulsive behavior<br />

Enuresis (in children)<br />

[Difficulty with interpersonal relationships; dependence on<br />

others; work/school failure]<br />

[Stages:<br />

ACUTE: Begins within 6 months and does not last longer than<br />

6 months.<br />

CHRONIC: Lasts more than 6 months.<br />

DELAYED ONSET: Period of latency of 6 months or more<br />

before onset of symptoms.]<br />

Desired Outcomes/Evaluation<br />

Criteria—Client Will:<br />

• Express own feelings/reactions, avoiding projection.<br />

• Verbalize a positive self-image.<br />

• Report reduced anxiety/fear when memories occur.<br />

Information in brackets added by the authors to clarify and enhance<br />

the use of nursing diagnoses.<br />

528 Cultural Collaborative Community/Home Care

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!